About Me

Hey there, my name is Ty Stevens. Welcome to my site about roofing. When wild animals decided to dig their way through my roofing materials and into the attic space, I was completely unaware of the problem. Several months after the animals created a living space in that area, I noticed their presence while grabbing decorations for an upcoming holiday. The animals had wreaked havoc in the space by tearing up insulation and partially chewing through wires. Upon hiring a roofing professional, I was taught about ways to protect my roof from future animal damage. I hope to share that information with you to help others protect their roof as well.

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If you are having a new home constructed or installing an entirely new roof on your existing home, you have to select a roof style for the home. The most common style is a pitched or sloped roof. This type of roof has two side pieces that come together to form an upside down V shape on your roof. However, this is not the only style of roof that you can select.

Roof vents disseminate warm, moist air from your attic out of the top of the roof. You will have one or two vents just for the attic itself, and a vent for every bathroom in your home that contains a bath or shower. Most homes have vents on the slopes of the roof, but those types of roof vents are quickly being replaced by vents in the ridges of the roof where the slopes meet the peaks.

Winter can be the most brutal time of year for roofs because the snow and ice can do significant damage to shingles, flashing, and other areas if you aren’t vigilant about your winter maintenance. Here are three crucial things you must do during the winter months to ensure your roof is healthy and ready to go when spring and summer rolls around.
Clear Out the Snow Quickly
If you live in an area that gets quite a bit of snow every winter season, then be prepared to go out on a regular basis to remove the cold, fluffy stuff from your roof.

Slate roofing tiles are usually chosen because they last a long time and look great. However, they aren’t immune to issues if you skimp on maintenance. If your slate roof is leaking, your roofing contractor will be looking for one of these problems.
Missing Tiles
It may be hard to imagine how something as strong as stone can be damaged by weather, but it can happen. Sufficient wind and debris can get up under the tiles and break the clips holding them to the roof.

With the advancement and promotion of metal roofs and metal roofing systems, a lot of homeowners are steering away from traditional asphalt shingle roofs. Asphalt roofing companies, in an attempt to reclaim customers from metal roofing contractors, have stepped up to the challenge to improve asphalt roofing systems. Before you hire a contractor to replace your existing roof with a metal one, reconsider these improved asphalt systems. Here are some of the benefits of these new and improved asphalt roofing systems.

Your foundation is the base for the entirety of your home — hence the name — which is why any sort of damage or shifting in your foundation can cause severe structural issues throughout the rest of your property. Understanding what some of the most common signs of foundation issues are can help you determine when you should get in touch with a professional contractor to do a complete inspection of your property to identify damages and the correct repair procedure.

Winter weather conditions can be harsh, and it’s important to make sure that your roof is prepared to handle the elements. Beyond just making sure there are no leaks that might let in rain or snow, it’s vital to check on your roof’s integrity to make sure the weight of winter elements won’t cause any damage, and also to make sure that your roof won’t let out plenty of heat, which can drive up your heating bill and make your home harder to keep warm.

If you’re tired of parking your car outdoors and an planning to construct a new detached garage on your property, you will need to make many decisions about how it is made. One area that you must put some thought into is the roof. Here are three things to consider when it comes to the roofing materials.
Pick A Roof That Matches Your Home
If your garage is going to be visible from the curb, you should really think about how the garage will complement your existing home.

After a hail storm hits your area, you need to make sure that you check your roof for damage. Hail storms, especially ones with large hail, can leave behind serious damage on your roof. After a hail storm, you want to check your roof and make sure that it is not damaged.
The tricky thing with hail damage is that it can be hard to see by just looking at your roof from the ground.

If you own a cottage that needs a new roof, then you may be unsure of where to turn. Asphalt shingles are the go-to for residential homes, but it tends to look out of place on a rustic cottage. Thankfully, there are three types of roofing that will look right at home on your little place. Which one is best depends on your budget, your cottage style, and your personal preferences.

You want to hire the best to work on your business’s roof. It helps to know what to look for when looking for a commercial roofing contractor.
1. High Professional Standards
First, you want to work with a commercial roofing contractor that has high professional standards. Find out how they measure their success for each job and what standards they set for their jobs and their work.
A way to measure professional standards is by finding out what kind of training their roofers have.

Your home’s roof and chimney may be out of your view most of the day, but they are essential to the protection and quality of your home’s interior. Here is some insight to help you keep your roof and chimney, and its fireplace, well maintained and in good working order.
Clean and Maintain Your Chimney
Using your fireplace regularly to keep your home warm can require you to take additional care of your chimney with regular cleaning and inspections.

One of the last things you may want to hear is that you need a new roof. This is the key to having a home that works at its best level and allows you to feel secure in the process. However, there are many warning signs that can alert you to the fact it may be time for a new roof. Knowing what to expect when it’s time for this home improvement may be helpful to you.

While there are many repairs that homeowners can take on on their own, roofing repairs or not one of them. If you have an issue with your roof, it is in your best interest to contact a certified roofer for assistance. The key is to know when your roof is in need of repairs. Some of the common signs that it is time to hire a roofer to make repairs to your roof include.

Are you a first-time homeowner? Do you know what you would do if you had trouble with your roof? A good roof can last for decades but strong winds and other factors can result in serious damage. If not fixed in a timely manner, these leaks can be disastrous and expensive due to interior damage as well as damage to the roof itself. Fortunately, knowing what to do can help to reduce the impact of a damaged or otherwise leaky roof.

Have you recently purchased an older home? Perhaps you are already living in an older home and you want to make some major changes. Either way, from doing an assessment to having your roof replaced, here are some ideas that might inspire you to give your present home a brand new look.
Do An Assessment - Ask yourself some important questions. For example, how much money are you willing to spend on the re-do of the outside of your home.

When adding a roofing material to a flat roof, you need to be careful about choosing a suitable material. Flat roofs are more vulnerable to water damage and wear. They have to deal with standing water which can have a strong deteriorating effect on any material. This is why only waterproof, sealed materials should be installed on a flat roof. Using tiles or shingles on a flat roof is never a good idea.

Finding out you need a whole new roof rather than just a simple patching job is stressful, but learning that you can deduct the costs in some way from your taxes can reduce the sting. There are two main types of home improvements that are used in tax calculations, and determining which category a roof replacement falls into also determines whether you can deduct the entire amount at once or have to spread out the cost over the lifespan of the home.

If you’re in need a new roof, but you don’t want to go with the same basic material, it’s time to move rubber to the top of your list. Rubber isn’t your basic roofing material. In fact, it goes above and beyond the traditional materials that you’re probably used to. For one thing, it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. However, the benefits go beyond that. Here are four reasons why you need to choose rubber for your new roof.

The roof is one of the most important and expensive parts of your house. Therefore, you should not rely on misconceptions for your roof-maintenance issues. Here are some of the specific misconceptions you should watch out for:
DIY Can Solve Most Roofing Problems
DIY roofing can help you reign in your roofing maintenance costs, but the number of roofing projects you can safely execute as a nonprofessional is severely limited. As a novice, you probably don’t know how to cut shingles safely, how to nail shingles or how to install flashing.

Rooftop HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems have their advantages, but they also present some challenges to your roof. Here are some of the complications you may face if you install an HVAC unit on the roof:
Damage Due to Poor Installation
The installation period presents the greatest risk to the roof, especially if the HVAC unit is being added to an existing roof. The installer has to make sure that the HVAC system’s parts are well coordinated with the rest of the roof systems including the drainage and electrical installations to prevent damage.

Renovating your roof is one of those major home upgrades that you might need to save up for. That is, it might take several years to pay for your new roof. That being said, replacing your roof is one of the best ways to add value to your property. A home with a new roof, regardless of what the materials, is going to be attractive to buyers and appraisers. Of course, there are certain products that are more cost effective than others.

When a storm causes damage to your roof, there may be some small leaks. These leaks can turn into bigger leaks and even bigger problems with water damage if repairs are neglected. Some of these smaller leaks are easy to repair on your own. Here are some roof repair tips to help you repair small leaks and prevent them from turning into bigger problems:
1. Patching Small Leaks and Punctures in Shingles

Moving to a cold-weather environment from a warmer area presents a whole new range of challenges to the homeowner. Chief among them is the asphalt shingle problems caused by snow and ice dams. Understanding these dangers is crucial to protecting your new home.
Snow Seriously Affects Asphalt Shingles
Winter weather can be a beautiful new experience for someone who just moved to the area. Snow is a lot of fun for those who want to ski or snowboard and it creates a gorgeous look that you don’t get in warmer areas.

Once you have come to the conclusion that it is time for a new roof, you might want to consider the option of tile roofing installation. If you are not familiar with this type of roofing, you will want to spend a little bit of time reviewing some of the many benefits that you would get with this type of roofing material. Those benefits include:
The Color Holds For A Long Time

If you’re thinking about replacing your home’s roof, there are many material types you can select from. Metal roofing, in particular, is widely used across the country. Before installing it on your roof, there are several questions you should ask first, such as:
What Are the Advantages?
There are many reasons you should consider metal roofing, as opposed to traditional shingles. For one, metal roofing is extremely durable. Since it has a long-lasting design, you don’t have to worry as much about replacement costs.

If you’re interested in keeping your building intact, you’ll need to do all you can to maintain its structure through some regular repairs. There are a lot of things you can do to keep your building structurally sound, but you’ll want to focus on keeping your gutters clean first and foremost. By capitalizing on the tips below, you’ll be able to get the help of pros who can install brand new gutters and help you maintain them.

Metal roofs are extremely durable, but they have attracted a number of erroneous beliefs over the years. Here are some of the common myths people have about this roofing material:
Metal Roofing Attract Lightning
Some people believe that metal roofs are lightning magnets and having the material on their roof will expose them to many incidences of lightning strikes. Such people reason that this must be the case because metal is an electrical conductor and lightning is basically a bolt of electricity.

Roof leaks often mean an inspection and patch job in the spot where there are issues. When the leaks are happening more often than not, you may want to consider a more comprehensive action than just a patch job. Often, it can be difficult to determine the next steps if you have several leaks and other issues cropping up with your roof. For future reference, here are three times that you should call it quits on your old roof and get a new roof built on your home:

Are you thinking about buying a house? Have you had the property appraised and inspected yet? When purchasing a home, it’s not uncommon for the buyer to assume that the basic inspection and appraisal that is required for the purchase is sufficient to spot any issues with the home. Although this is true for the most apparent problems, it is not always the best decision. There are a variety of reasons why you might want to hire a roof repair service to take a look at your roof and other individual house parts.

The fascia boards on your roofline are hugely important when it comes to both the style and structural integrity of your roof. That is, if your fascia boards are not in good condition, you could run into problems with a sagging roofline. Also, the fascia board is one of the most important pieces of trim around your home, so you want it to always look straight and brightly painted. Of course, the material that you choose for your fascia boards can have a huge impact on how difficult it is to keep them looking straight and clean.

Soon, storms will be causing damage to homes across the country. It does not matter if you home is inland, high winds can cause a lot of damage to the roof of your home. There are things that you need to do to prepare for the damage and get ready for emergency repairs. Here are some preparation tips to get your roof ready for the next storm:
1. Trimming Trees and Cleaning Debris That Cause Damage

When is it time to have the shingles on your roof replaced? This is a question that confuses many homeowners because there are different factors that affect roofing materials. Damage from storms, a fallen tree or other causes may also impact the lifespan of asphalt shingles. Then, you have the limited warranty from the manufacture, which is rarely how long roofing will actually last. So, here are some simple steps to have you determine when shingles have reached the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced:

It is recommended that you have your commercial roof inspected on a yearly basis. However, you may find yourself wondering what the roofing contractor is looking for as they walk around your roof. Here are a few of the things that a commercial roofer pays close attention to when they do a commercial roofing inspection.
Mold
One of the things that a contractor is looking for during a roof inspection is mold.

Whether your existing roof has experienced enough problems that the cost of repairs is likely to be too close to the cost of a new roof or you simply want to provide a new roof for your home, slate and tile are both popular choices. They share similar features and can be costly to purchase and install, but can last for many years with proper use and care. Therefore, if you’re torn between tile and slate for your new roof, it’s a good idea to be aware of the following attributes and challenges of each choice.

Even though gutters only need to be cleaned a couple of times a year, many homeowners neglect this task. Failing to clean the gutters is a crucial mistake that could have long-term consequences. If you have not been as attentive to your gutters as you should, here is what you need to know.
Why Is Cleaning the Gutters Important?
Over time, your gutters can fill with leaves, dirt, and bugs.

In order to be sure that you can protect your home and keep its value very high, you will need to know when it’s necessary to purchase and install a new roof. There are a lot of roofing contractors who can tackle this kind of project, so by relying on some great tips, you’ll be able to hire them to assist you. Slate roofing is one of the best kinds of roofing that you can purchase, so consider these benefits of slate roofing, as you also get in touch with roofing professionals, like Three Rivers Roofing, who can help you.

Having a new roof installed on your home is a major project and one that you want to make sure is done properly. After all, a quality roof construction can easily last for 15-20 years. Before you hire a contractor for your roofing installation job, however, there are some questions worth asking.
Are You Fully Licensed and Insured?
In most states, roofers are legally required to obtain a license in order to perform roofing jobs.

If you need to put a new roof on your home soon, you may want to consider going with a metal roof this time. A metal roof has several benefits over asphalt, and saving you money is one of them. It’s true a metal roof costs more up front, but over the life of the roof, you will save money. Here’s why.
Metal Roofs Have A Long Life
Asphalt roofs are the least expensive, but the trade-off is they have a short lifespan when compared to metal.

When your car is damaged by hail, identifying the problem is very straightforward. You’ll have round dents that are in the car body after the storm passes, which are very simple to spot. In comparison, it is much harder to identify problems on an asphalt roof. Identifying damage is crucial since you’ll want to make roof repairs immediately to keep it in great condition. If you ignore the damage that is simple to fix now, know that it can eventually lead to leaks or structural damage.

You don’t want to put things off when you need a new roof. The situation can quickly go from bad to worse if a leak is involved. This can be especially stressful when you are looking at the cost for a new roof. Even so, there are a few money-saving mistakes you don’t want to make, because they will actually cost you more in the long run.
#1: Re-roofing over the old shingles

Your home’s roof protects you and your family from winter weather and harsh sun. It is important to take some time each fall to maintain and prepare your roof, flat or sloped, for winter’s snow and ice. Here are two tips to help you ready your flat or low-sloped roof for winter.
Clean Debris From the Roof
To prepare your roof for winter, the first task you should complete is cleaning debris and dirt from the roof.

Shakes are a common wood roofing material that have been used for centuries. They also experience a lot of the problems that are usually associated with wood, such as rot, leaks, and damage to the shakes. Wood is also a fire hazard in dry climates. For these reasons, you may want to use a material on your roof that will not have these problems but will still give you the look of shakes.

One of the most important things that you can do in order to keep your roof in good shape for as long as possible is to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof periodically for various types of damage and issues. Listed below are three reasons to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof.
Check For Seasonal Damage
The primary reason to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof is to check for seasonal damage, particularly if you live in an area where you have a bad storm season.

It is not uncommon to have some minor roofing repairs in the spring, after the windy weather and storms of winter. Before you climb on your roof to make necessary repairs, make sure that you put safety first. Your home’s roof can be a dangerous place, so proceed with caution.
Seven safety suggestions when you repair your roof are:
Sit down. If you plan on repairing the roof or replacing shingles, take a seat.

Terracotta style clay tile roofing was very popular for years in the Southwest and other parts of the US, but now it’s less widely used because it requires quite a bit of maintenance over the years. If you’ve recently moved into a home with a clay tile roof and don’t know what condition it is in, you can check it for a few common signs of aging and damage. Look for these five signs your tile roof needs repairs or replacement.

If you have a metal roof and you want solar panels, there are a few things to consider before installing your panels. To guide you through the process, here are some tips to help:
1. Schedule Any Needed Repairs
Your solar panels will take up a lot of the space on your roof. It can be difficult to get around the panels to do roof repairs. Because of that, if your roof needs any repairs, you should address them before starting to install your solar panels.

For homeowners unfamiliar with the signs of impending roof failure, problematic symptoms can go easily overlooked. Before you dismiss serious signs of damage due to your own unfamiliarity, read on to learn about some of the signs that you should always be attentive to.
The Roof Is Aging
Talk with a local roofing contractor about the type of roof that you have on your home and its life expectancy. Since every roofing material is rated for a different usable life, this is an important consideration.

Steel roofs are meant to last, and longevity is one reason why the roofing material is often used on barns, garages, warehouses, and commercial buildings. Many homes now have metal roofs too, and the more inexpensive varieties have exposed seams. These seams can form rust, and the oxidation typically starts on and around the screws that hold the seams together. If you see rust around the screws, then you can repair the problem.

When you’re building a house or updating the exterior finishes, you can save money by choosing budget siding options. However, cheap siding can lead to problems down the road, and so choosing a higher quality siding is more important than you might initially think. Vinyl is a budget option for homeowners, but not all vinyl is created equally. If you get cheap plastic siding, here are some problems you can expect to face.

The roof is one of the most important components of your home and should not be neglected. But whether it is worn shingles or leaks, roof problems can be very expensive to repair. If you recently bought your home and are not used to taking care of a roof, you might make a mistake without even realizing it. Here are six common roofing mistakes you must avoid in order to protect your investment:

If installing a new roof is in your plans for the near future, you probably have already begun exploring all of the many options that are on the market. You will have to decide on your materials, style, colors, and even your budget. But one of the things that you may not have considered is whether or not your finished roof will be cool once it is finished. Installing a cool roof will not necessarily cost you more upfront, but it could save you a lot over the lifetime of your roof.

If you live in an area that receives snow during the winter and your business has a flat or low-pitch roof, it is important to prepare and protect your roof from snow fall damage. A flat roof, or a roof with less than a 30 degree pitch–which is a rise of 4 inches per foot–creates a risk to your commercial property. When temperatures do not warm up enough to melt the snow off your roof after a snow storm, or the snow can not slide from your roof, the snow can create too much weight.

When it comes to any industry, there are a variety of industry-specific terms associated with it. If you are looking into having repairs done on your roof, or looking into doing your very own DIY roof project, there are a number of roofing specific terms that you need to know. Knowing these roofing specific terms will ensure that there isn’t confusion when you are working with your roofing contractor. Knowing these terms will also ensure you don’t get lost or confused by instructions if you are completing your own DIY roof project.

House hunting can be stressful. Whether you are buying your first home or your tenth, it is a complicated process. Not only do you need to like the home, but you also need to make sure that it is a good investment. The house needs to be in good location, be priced fairly, and be in good working order. Using a licensed realtor and a quality home inspector are the best tools you can have.

Your home protects you and your family from the high outside temperatures. With the right changes to your home’s exterior, you can increase the amount of protection your home gives you from the heat. Here are four ideas to help keep your home cool from the sun’s heat.
Radiant Barrier Roof
Your home’s roof can receive heat from the sun all day. There are several things you can change with your roofing materials to reduce the amount of heat they absorb from the sun.

If you are a homeowner, and you need a new roof, you know this can be a major expense. The variance in the cost depends on the materials you choose to use. No matter how much the project is, if you do not have the funds on hand, you may have to turn to your homeowners insurance company to pay for it. Understanding what they may and may not pay, will keep you from having any unwelcome surprises.

Commercial roofing consists of heavy duty material that is durable, but only to an extent. The material is designed to prevent water leakage through the roof to protect the interior of the building from getting damaged by weather elements. However, the material can be damaged, which could result in water leaks into the building. What types of things can cause damage to such a durable material? Here are 3.
Improper installation of HVAC & other equipment

For most homeowners, putting a roof on your home is a once in a lifetime experience. If you choose the right roofing products, they should last you for the rest of the time you will live in your home. Where many homeowners make a mistake is just focusing on the shingles, or roofing materials that are going to be seen, and not putting enough thought in the other components that will not be seen.

So many commercial buildings are choosing to use single-ply thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membranes that they have become one of the fastest growing segments in the roofing industry. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with this material, now is the time.
An Overview of TPO Membranes
TPO membranes are made from ethylene propylene rubber and some filler materials like talc and carbon fiber, which add to is strength and durability. This type of roofing membrane can easily meet a wide range of design and need specifications of various buildings, and are offered in several different color options.